Reducing Absenteeism in Nursing

Absenteeism in nursing is a wide-scale issue that has an impact on healthcare systems across the world; it disrupts patient care, strains resources and increases costs. Reducing absenteeism in nursing is a challenge, particularly given the high-stress environment and the physical and emotional demands placed on healthcare professionals today.

This issue not only affects the wellbeing of the nurses, it also impacts patient care and critical healthcare metrics including referral wait times, A&E wait times, and cancelled operations. 

While some absences are unavoidable, many are preventable. But addressing and improving absenteeism requires a multi-faceted approach that includes understanding its root causes, implementing supportive policies, and utilising advanced technologies like GoodShape's Absence Management Solutions to drive better results.

What causes absenteeism in nursing?

Absenteeism in nursing can stem from a variety of factors, including physical health issues, mental health concerns, workplace stress, burnout and job dissatisfaction. The unique challenges faced by nurses, such as long working hours, high patient-to-nurse ratios, and exposure to traumatic situations, have been known to contribute to these factors.

Work stress & burnout
The demanding nature of nursing can lead to high levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

Work-life imbalance
Many nurses face long shifts, unpredictable schedules, and heavy workloads, which can make it difficult for them to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Physical injuries
Lots of nurses are required to carry out frequent lifting or to stand in awkward postures for long periods of time. This can contribute to aches, pains, and injuries that can lead to sick leave.

Higher exposure rate to illness
Working in close proximity to patients with infectious diseases puts nurses at higher risk of contracting illnesses themselves.

Lack of support
Many nurses report that they feel undervalued, under-resourced, or lack control over their work environment, which can negatively impact their wellbeing and absenteeism rates.

Ways to reduce absenteeism in nursing

With absenteeism posing a significant financial and operational burden on the healthcare workforce, including the NHS, several strategies can be considered to reduce some of the risk.

Supporting mental health and wellbeing

Mental health is a significant factor in nurse absenteeism. Strategies that could be addressed to support mental health include:

• Mindfulness and stress reduction programmes - Implementing programmes that teach mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and stress management can be beneficial to all healthcare workers.
• Promote a culture of wellness - Instilling a culture that prioritises employee wellbeing fosters a healthier and more engaged workforce. This can involve offering stress management programmes, flexible scheduling options, and access to mental health resources.
• Counselling services - Offering access to professional counselling can help nurses and other healthcare workers deal with stress and emotional trauma.
• Peer support programs - Establishing peer support groups where nurses can share experiences and coping strategies can help to create a supportive work environment.

Improving workplace conditions

One of the most direct ways to reduce absenteeism is by improving the overall workplace environment to create a happier and healthier place to work.

• Improving safety measures - Implementing strict infection control protocols and providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce the risk of work-related illnesses.
• Improving nurse-to-patient ratios -  Ensuring adequate staffing levels can reduce stress and prevent burnout. More manageable workloads allow nurses to provide better care and maintain their own health.
• Providing substantial breaks for staff - Encouraging regular breaks and ensuring nurses take the full amount of time can help prevent fatigue and associated health issues.

Flexible work arrangements

Adding even a small bit of flexibility in work schedules can significantly impact nurse wellbeing. Here are a few ways flexibility can be introduced:

• Flexible shifts - Allowing nurses to choose some shifts that best fit their personal lives can reduce stress and absenteeism. Although this may not be sustainable long term, allowing them to submit preferences that could be factored into scheduling could be beneficial.
• Part-time and job-sharing options - Providing part-time and job-sharing opportunities for those who need them can help retain skilled nurses who might otherwise leave.

Professional development and career growth

Providing opportunities for professional development can increase job satisfaction and reduce absenteeism.

• Ongoing education - Offering courses and training sessions to help nurses advance their skills and career prospects can help workers feel they are continuously learning and progressing in their role.
• Leadership programmes - Developing leadership and management training to prepare nurses for higher responsibility roles can help improve their engagement and job satisfaction.

The power of absence management software on reducing absenteeism in nursing

Absence management software providers like GoodShape play a key role in reducing absenteeism by leveraging technology and data to support employee health and wellbeing. GoodShape's platform offers several features that are particularly beneficial for the healthcare sector:

Identification

• 24/7 absence reporting and data capture - GoodShape enables easy and accurate reporting of absences with custom data capture which allows you to identify patterns and trends in unplanned absence.
• Alert engine - Timely alerts trigger appropriate interventions based on absence types and durations.
• Health monitoring - By integrating with medical records and wearable fitness apps, GoodShape enables detailed health tracking which helps identify health issues early, allowing for fast intervention.

Intervention

• Daily care plans - The platform provides personalised self-care plans for various health concerns, promoting faster recovery times.
• Digital advice - Employees can access a comprehensive library of resources on topics like stress management, healthy sleep habits, and safe return-to-work protocols.
• Referrals and signposting - GoodShape helps connect employees with relevant healthcare services for early treatment and support.

Intelligence

• Real-time transparency and accurate predictions - GoodShape provides real-time dashboards that highlight issues, focus areas, and emerging risks. This transparency allows for quick responses to potential problems.
• Analysis and reporting - The platform analyses critical trends in employee health and their impact on the business operations.
• Tracking critical actions - GoodShape tracks all actions related to absence management, including return-to-work interviews and absence review meetings. This ensures accountability and consistency in handling absence cases.

GoodShape & the NHS

Imagine a bustling NHS hospital with historically high nurse absenteeism rates, where stress, burnout, and work-life challenges were significant contributors. After implementing GoodShape's absence management platform, the hospital saw a positive shift.

We worked in partnership with Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to manage and reduce absence through return-to-work interview compliance monitoring, absence policy triggers and alerts, and real-time management information.

• 19% reduction in nurse absenteeism - GoodShape's data-driven approach helped identify key causes of absenteeism, allowing for targeted interventions.
• Improved nurse well-being - Self-care plans, stress management resources, and readily available health information empowered nurses to manage their own wellbeing.
• Reduced time taken off for stress - 45.8% reduction in average stress-related absence length.